Promoting Support for Anti-Racism Movements and Intentions to Intervene: Effects of Common-Identity Narratives and the Moderating Role of Prior Prejudice

Two experiments examined whether emphasizing a common ingroup identity with racially different characters, operationalized as university affiliation with an African American character (Study 1) and parent identity with an Asian American character (Study 2), enhanced the impact of victim narratives. Findings indicate that emphasizing a common ingroup identity increased perceived similarity and identification with the character and reduced perceived social distance, which then fostered greater support toward anti-racism movements and stronger intentions to intervene. Common-identity narratives were particularly effective among participants with higher prior prejudice, and the moderation effect was mediated by reduced social distance.